JUVENILE JUSTICE SPECIALIST INTERN

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking a compassionate and motivated candidate to assist in the positive rehabilitation of the youth in our care. The ideal candidate for this position will possess a passion for positive change, the ability to apply a high degree of patience with residents and their families, and the ability to confidently develop and implement recommendations for positive behavior change and rehabilitation. The incumbent in this role will possess excellent communication skills both orally and in writing as they will have daily interaction with various youth, other staff both inside and outside the facilities, families of the residents, and members of the community. The Juvenile Justice Specialist plays a critical role in the maintenance and rehabilitation of the youth in our care. If this sounds like an opportunity that fits the career path you’re looking for, then IDJJ is looking for you! We encourage all interested and qualified candidates to apply! 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides role-modeling behavior, facilitating appropriate communications and developing suitable problem solving and conflict resolution skills for assigned youth, supervising and monitoring the progress of youth in accordance with the individualized service plan.
• Provides youth with immediate reinforcement of appropriate interaction, limit setting, and correction of inappropriate communication and interaction.
•  Works with counselors and other professional and direct support staff to provide additional assistance and support services to youth, through individualized student interaction and facilitating group programs where trained and certified to do so.
• Supervises youth in accordance with specified agency rules and standards. Participates in the development and implementation of an individualized service plan including, but not limited to, monitoring implementation of the plan, preparing periodic written and oral reports, attending professional staff meetings for assigned youth, and contributing to the plan in areas of specialization, goal setting, behavioral observations and management issues.
• Completes all required reports and notifies appropriate staff of issues, concerns and activities.
• Transports and supervises youth movement to and from destinations inside and/or outside the facility grounds; observes behavior and social interaction of youth and intervenes when conflicts occur and deescalates the situation.
• Administers nonprescription medications per established protocols and ensures youth have access to necessary and appropriate medical services.
• Conducts periodic inspections of facility to assure the safety and well being of youth being served.
• Receives ongoing training to develop new and updated skill and proficiency in carrying out specialized service delivery programs to targeted youth involving group or individual services.
• Provides guidance and conducts peer training for specialists and interns to familiarize them with different and more challenging assignments and to assist the training coordinator with cyclical training, instruction, and reinforcement of existing directives and procedures and new or improved work methods and techniques.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

MINIMUM QUALFICATIONS

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and either;    

                        (A) any bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university or

                        (B) Verification of 2 or more years of experience providing direct care to youth in the form of residential care, coaching, case management, or mentoring.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Candidates must be over the age of 21.
• Requires the ability to pass an IDJJ/IDOC background check.
• Requires the ability to pass an IDJJ/IDOC drug screening.
• Requires the successful completion of a Department of Juvenile Justice Training Program.
• Requires the ability to speak, and write in English
• Requires possession of an appropriate valid driver's license.
• Requires physical agility and strength to stand and walk for up to three hours at a time, to run for short distances, and to provide physical intervention and control, as necessary, in order to protect and/or restrain individuals.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Be sure you meet the qualifications listed above.
2.  Fill out an Electronic Application at least 3 business days before the screening you will attend.
3. Prepare a comprehensive resume to bring to the screening.
4. Gather the needed identification documents listed on the Items to Bring to Screening page. Most importantly, bring a COPY of your driver's license AND your original license to the screening. 
5. Attend an employment screening. (Be sure you have done the electronic application a few days in advance. Don't forget to bring your driver's license, a copy of your driver's license, and your resume. Bring all other additional completed forms as well.